Eriksson continues Man City spending

<p>Manchester City manager Sven Goran Eriksson (C) poses with new signings Martin Petrov of Bulgaria (L) and Geovanni of Brazil (R) during a photocall at the club's Carrington training complex in Manchester, northern England, July 26, 2007. REUTERS/ Phil Noble</p>

LONDON (Reuters) - Sven-Goran Eriksson has stepped up his recruitment drive as Manchester City manager by signing three players, the club said on Thursday.

Brazil midfielder Elano Blumer, Croatia defender Vedran Corluka and Spanish fullback Javier Garrido have all completed moves to Eastlands, taking to seven the number of players brought in by Eriksson since he took over last month.

The most high-profile of the trio is wide midfielder Elano who arrives in an eight million pounds transfer from Ukraine’s Shakhtar Donetsk.

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A member of Brazil’s Copa America-winning squad in July, the 26-year-old Elano has penned a four-year contract. He caught the eye when scoring twice for Brazil in their 3-0 friendly win over Argentina at Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium last September.

Croatia defender Corluka joins City from Dinamo Zagreb for an undisclosed fee. Although just 21, he has nine caps for Croatia and featured in their 2-0 win over England in a Euro 2008 qualifier last year.

The 22-year-old Garrido, who has played for Spain’s Under-21s, has arrived in a 1.5 million pounds deal from Real Sociedad on a four-year contract.

“This morning has proved to be an immensely productive one, the outcome of which is the acquisition of three top quality players for Manchester City Football Club,” chief executive Alistair Mackintosh told their Web site (mcfc.co.uk).

With the backing of new owner Thaksin Shinawatra, the former Thai Prime Minister, Eriksson has embarked on a spending spree unprecedented in City’s history.

Besides Thursday’s new faces, former England coach Eriksson has also signed midfielders Geovanni and Gelson Fernandes, winger Martin Petrov and striker Rolando Bianchi as he looks to re-establish City as a force in English football.

Under former manager Stuart Pearce, City finished 14th in the Premier League last season. They last won a major trophy back in 1976 when they lifted the English League Cup.